Eagles no threat to us – B/Faso

By John Egbokhan
BurkinaFaso have said that the Super Eagles were no threat to them when both teams clash in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations opener on Janaury 19 at the 41,000 capacity Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The Stallions of Burkina Faso were housed in Group C along with Zambia, the defending champion, Nigeria and Ethiopia, at the draws ceremony held Wednesday in Durban, South Africa.

In the estimation of the Stallions coach, Paul Put, who spoke to Sidwaya, a leading newspaper in Burkina Faso, his major source of worry was Ethiopia, rather than Nigeria and Zambia.

“All groups are difficult as far as it is a competition that brings together the 16 best teams in the continent. We already know Zambia and Nigeria, who are no threats to us.

My concern remains the great unknown, Ethiopia. We will conduct research and prepare the team properly to achieve our goal in this competition which is to go as far as possible, or at least qualify for the second round, “he said.

Also speaking, his deputy, Sidi Napon,  indicated that they were not scared of the foes, noting that the Burkinabes were going to qualify firom the group.

“Football is booming greatly in Burkina Faso with players able to compete with any opponent. We must believe in ourselves. I think we can get out of this group, “said Napon For striker Aristide Bance, the Stallions have a good chance of qualifying from the group.

“We have learnt from the past and we have the chance to get out of this group. But we must not overlook a team like Ethiopia. “

The same view was made by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Colonel Yacouba Ouedraogo, who insists that the Stallions should seize the opportunity of playing against a Super Eagles side, undergoing rebuilding.

“Nigeria is not a lightning war, Ethiopia is rising, Zambia, the defending champion, qualified hard. but we qualified easily, “